Wow, no wonder our country is
Wow, no wonder our country is in such a terrible state. A lot of people, like you, apparently can’t read. The 1932 article says that catastrophic floods will arrive in *30,000 to 40,000 years* from 1932. I’ll do the math for you — it’s been less than 100 years since the article was written. Still, we ARE having regular symptoms of climate change today in the increase of floods, hurricanes, derechos, and wildfires. Maybe not humankind-wiping-out-right-this-minute type things. But suffering on a community level, that for sure is here. Ask your neighbors in Lake Charles. But climate change is here, and wouldn’t you want to do what you can to decrease suffering in the short term <100 years and assist in the survival of all humans for the long term <50K and more years? Oh I see....BUT MAH FREEDOM!

Did…….a wise man once say, “don’t confuse me with the facts, I’m trying to make a point” ???

Hi Bill,
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your response to my comment. Um, for context regarding my viewpoint, remember that I have been involved in the mechanical trades for 40+ years, some of my experience involves specifying, designing, installing troubleshooting and servicing mechanical systems which use compression refrigeration as their means to move heat. So in response your statement, heat pumps systems are certainly more popular than ever, but being “BETTER”……is likely an opinion that may garner some disagreement.

I may be in err in stating this but I believe the term “heat pump” only identifies a mechanical system of some kind that moves heat from an area – using compression refrigeration, by which the mechanical refrigeration cycle adds heat from compressing the refrigerant, mechanical friction and motor windings – to another. Or in my younger days – what some would refer to as a Rube Goldberg system……

So yes – the heat is “free” but what does it ultimately cost you to move it ?

I know how things ARE built, and how people live…….and though some have lofty ideals, most actions are driven by driven by self interest.

I have a lifetime of experience, building, maintaining, repairing, destroying…….and witnessing the self destruction of all types of structures.

I have built, lived in and been responsible for all electric homes. I have been integral in managing all electric commercial buildings.

Modern man primarily uses electricity as a means to transfer energy. So at its root, with western civilizations’ existing infrastructure “all electric” is certainly the most flexible and arguably the most efficient means of transferring energy to our homes and business’s.
Efficiency is a fairly irrelevant word in this conversation, as even those with high ideals are usually personally concerned with what “it” is going to cost them – and that apples equally to changing the antifreeze in their Volvo or paying their utility bill.

It is my opinion that if you build all electric in my region, you should build it like a Thermos, so that you can heat it with a light bulb.
I have personally done just this for myself and for other folks, it can work. It can be done effectively, without exotic building material and at an reasonable $$ per sq ft cost.

But here’s the truth; everybody’s different – there are a lot of folks living in rustic log homes that cost 4 x the $$$ to build as a “Thermos”….. because that is what they want……

As humans, we all want to have control over our own personal circumstances, and if we don’t, we strive to gain that.

For many folks….. it’s academic….. they are just trying to stay warm….and in any that way they can. But certainly the less of their own personal resources they need to devote to staying warm, they can devote other needs.

I can certainly, at times be in the “all electric” camp and can’t help but believe it will be our reality in the near future – especially in densely populated, rigidly regulated regions.

In closing, I think any sober conversation concerning “personal” energy use needs to be tempered with a realistic dose of human nature, and that maybe, in truth – diversity is THE solution.

I built a 576 sq ft house
I built a 576 sq ft house that was, through a mistake in communication and inexperienced installers, insulated with 5.5” of closed cell insulation, walls and ceiling. It was tight! I don’t have or need AC in our 100+ degree summers. It’s cold at night. I open it up at night and close it up at dawn. I installed electric duct dampers because I could not stand the sound of banging dampers during the many high wind events we have here on the east slope of the Cascades. I installed a direct vent propane HWH. I use electric heat, however, I needed backup heat during power outages so I had an LP fireplace installed. Several things went wrong here. I made it clear to the salesman that I had a very small house and turning on any vent would overwhelm the air intake and pull gases back down the gas flue so I needed a completely sealed unit. I had a sealed direct vent LP heater in my shop so thought little of the request. I was assured the unit was sealed. During installation I pitched a fit when the installer forced the LP line into the slot I had cut for the power already installed for the fireplace. Should have been a clue. First I noticed that the sparkle fibers in the fireplace were waving during a high wind event so I opened the top of the unit to see why. I was astonished. I was staring right into the firebox through a 3×6” open louvre! Sealed unit my butt! I dragged out the installation instructions and learned that in my configuration the flue damper needed to be barely open instead of wide open. Fixed that and closed the louvre, hoping it was not somehow needed for the chimney effect. Found out later it is an overpressure feature (that sure gave me a warm fuzzy feeling-harr!) and should have been closed. I only use it during outages so not worried about the backdraft from exhaust fans but the next owners might like to have some firelight ambiance while they poison themselves. Then I noticed my electric heat was having a heck of a time keeping the place warm in spite of the fact I live in an insulated box. Followed a smoke trail straight to the top of the flue. Holy smokes Bat Man! There was a 1” space all the way around the 8” flue thru which I could see the roof deck! Per install manual I could put nothing combustible in this space so sealed it from the attic with aluminum sheet, hoping I was not causing a safety problem. I have since figured out the heat transference thru the cold chimney flue is substantial. It heats that section of the tiny attic (4/12 pitch) and produces massive icicles. I found more installation problems when I was up close and personal with the roof penetration but that’s a story for a roofer’s blog. Lesson learned. Do not install a gorgeous $4000 LP fireplace for backup heat in a little house. If I could redo, I would install a simple direct vent SEALED propane wall unit…maybe not. I have no wall space which is why the fireplace is in the middle of the room…..I recently discovered ceramic flue insulation and will install a wrap around the flue where it enters the ceiling, hoping, of course, that I am not creating yet another safety problem while slowing down air flow through the ceiling a bit more. I am contemplating sewing a quilt cover for the flue but cant figure out how to make it required to be removed before opening the LP valve….unless. Yes! Cover the entire gorgeous $4000 LP fireplace! Coulda bought a really nice generator….